Mundipharma establishes ophthalmology business

Mundipharma establishes ophthalmology business

Singapore, 3rd December, 2015: Mundipharma Ophthalmology Products Limited today announced an agreement with MSD, known as Merck in the United States and Canada, to acquire MSD’s ophthalmology portfolio for the treatment of increased ocular pressure caused by open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, in Australia, Canada, Latin America, Middle East, Africa and New Zealand. This marks a key milestone in strengthening Mundipharma’s footprint and ongoing investment in specialty care medicines.

The acquired portfolio consists of products covering the treatment of open-angle glaucoma.

“For Mundipharma, this acquisition is a strategic entry to the global ophthalmology sector with a strong base of proven and trusted products,” said Raman Singh, President of Mundipharma Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. “Mundipharma will invest our capabilities, leverage Merck’s successful clinical history and continue the legacy of trust by providing high quality solutions that address critical patient needs and expand access to these important medications in the regions which Mundipharma covers.”

“We are pleased to have entered this agreement with Mundipharma to enable continued access for patients to these medicines,” said Muna Bhanji, President, Hospital and Specialty Care, MSD. “This transaction completes the divestiture of MSD’s global ophthalmology business as we continue to sharpen our focus in core markets and therapeutic areas and advance our innovative pipeline.”

Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness worldwide. It is estimated that 4.5 million persons globally are blind due to glaucoma(1) and that this number will rise to 11.2 million by 2020(2). Due to the silent progression of the disease – at least in its early stages – up to 50% of affected persons in the developed countries are not even aware of having glaucoma(3). This number may rise to 90% in underdeveloped parts of the world.

The most common types of adult-onset glaucoma are Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) – a form most frequently encountered in patients of Caucasian and African ancestry – and Angle-Closure Glaucoma (ACG), which is the more common in patients of Asian ancestry.